MULTI-SITE INFRARED THERMOMETER
An infrared thermometer includes a probe and an infrared sensor. The probe with an infrared target absorbs thermal radiation to provide a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation and an aperture for preventing contamination of the infrared target while permitting the transmission of thermal radiation to the target. The infrared sensor is configured for sensing infrared radiation from the infrared target. The infrared target is positioned within the probe such that it absorbs thermal radiation that comes from the aperture and thereafter emits thermal radiation to the infrared sensor.
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This application is a continuation patent application of, and claims priority and benefit to, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/678,657, Attorney Docket Number 3018946 US01, that was filed on Feb. 26, 2007 and entitled “Multi-Site Infrared Thermometer”, which is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims the priority and benefit to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/989,631 that was filed Nov. 16, 2004, entitled “Probe Cover for Thermometry Apparatus”, and now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,056. The patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/873,046, Attorney Docket Number 3025298 US01, entitled “Temperature Patch and Method of Using the Same”. All of the aforementioned patent applications and patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates, in one embodiment, to an infrared thermometer with multiple disposable probes. The thermometer automatically detects which of the multiple probes is currently attached, loads a predetermined program from memory that corresponds to the current probe, and thereafter obtains a temperature measurement from a patient using infrared radiation conducted or emitted therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt has been a longstanding objective in the art to rapidly and accurately measure the temperature of a patient. The core temperature of a mammal may be approximately measured in a number of ways. For example, typical temperature measuring techniques use specialized probes such as oral, rectal, axillary, and/or tympanic probes to measure the temperature of a specific area of the body. The body's “core temperature” may then be extrapolated from such a measurement. Reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,685 to Pompei (Temporal Artery Temperature Detector). Each of the aforementioned probes is useful under different circumstances. For example, axillary probes are particularly useful in conjunction with neonates, whereas tympanic infrared probes are widely used on adults.
The use of tympanic infrared probes on adults has proven to be particularly useful. One of the primary advantages of such probes is their speed—a typical infrared probe can measure the temperature of the tympanic membrane in less than one second. In contrast, a mercury oral thermometer often takes several minutes to provide a proper measurement. Examples of tympanic infrared probes include U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,936 to Yelderman et al. (Noncontact Infrared Tympanic Thermometer) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,823 to Kraus et al. (Infrared Radiation Thermometer with Variable Exterior Probe Head for Conforming to Body Cavity). Such tympanic infrared thermometers are readily commercially available. For example, the Braun Pro4000, available from Welch Allyn, provides such an infrared probe, complete with a disposable, sanitary cover.
The use of infrared axillary probes is also known in the art. Reference may be had to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,874,736; 5,893,833; 6,045,257; 6,056,435; 6,241,384; 6,299,347; 6,402,371; and 6,499,877 to Pompei et al.
Unfortunately, other bodily sites are not so suitable for infrared temperature measurement. For such other sites, traditional thermometers, which require long equilibration times, are often used to measure temperatures. Traditional thermometers include those materials, both liquid and solid, that expand or otherwise change their physical confirmation when heated. Examples include mercury and ethanol based thermometers. It would be a significant advantage if medical personnel could quickly measure body temperature at multiple locations using infrared technology. It would be a further advantage if medical personnel could use a single infrared thermometer to obtain temperature measurements at multiple sites.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,936 to Kraus et al. (Infrared Thermometer for Performing Temperature Measurements at Different Sites) provides a device capable of measuring body temperature using either temporal or tympanic probes. Although Kraus discusses the desirability of obtaining infrared temperature readings from other bodily sites, obtaining such measurements has proven problematic. The device of Kraus is deficient in that it does not describe a mechanism or method for enabling an infrared temperature reading from the sites most commonly used by healthcare professionals, particularly oral, rectal and axillary sites. Conversions to derive readings similar to these sites are discussed but such conversions are found to work only in general and are not sufficiently accurate for individual subjects.
Additional background references that are of some importance, while not material to the present claims, include U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,234 to Bohm (Infrared Temperature Sensor); U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,673 to Fraden (Infrared Thermometer); U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,243 to Fraden (Probe Cover for Infrared Thermometer); U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,671 to Tseng (Probe Cover with Film Insert); U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,160 to Fraden (Blackbody Cavity for Calibration of Infrared Thermometers); U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,439 to Bellifemine (Infrared Thermometer); U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,154 to Janotte (Radiation Thermometer and Radiation Sensor with Several Sensor Elements, Method for Determining Temperature); U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,927 to Bellifemine (Infrared Thermometer); U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,497 to Fraden (Infrared Thermometer); and U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,437 to Bellifermine (Infrared Thermometer and Waveguide for Infrared Thermometer).
Therefore, an infrared thermometer is desired which permits the user to rapidly measure body temperature at multiple sites using a single device.
Furthermore, an infrared thermometer is desired which automatically detects what type of probe is connected to the thermometer and thereafter loads a program that permits the thermometer to properly interpret data from such a probe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention comprises, in one form thereof, a kit comprising an infrared thermometer and at least two probes for use with the thermometer. The probes are each equipped with keying features that mate with one or more switches on the thermometer and permit the thermometer to properly identify which of the probes is currently attached.
An advantage of the present invention is that the probes are especially configured to provide a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation to the sensor, regardless of where the probe is disposed.
The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe device of Kraus permits a program to be automatically loaded into the processor based upon which one of two probes is disposed over the infrared sensor and which one of two switches is depressed. In the embodiment depicted in
The device of Kraus permits two probes to be automatically detected using the aforementioned switches. In the present invention, other switch configurations, beyond those taught by Kraus, are also possible that permit more than two probes. For example, when neither switch 110 nor switch 112 are depressed, then a third program may be loaded. When both switch 110 and switch 112 are depressed, then a fourth program may be loaded. Should three or more switches be present, a multiplicity of probes may be automatically detected by selectively depressing certain combinations of switches.
While the device of Kraus permits the detection of multiple probes, its use has been limited by the applicability of infrared technology to other bodily sites. For example, infrared temperature measurements are adaptable to measuring temperature at the tympanic membrane, at the axilla, or at the temporal region, but are poorly suited to measure temperature orally or rectally. For an infrared sensor to accurately measure the temperature at a specific bodily site a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation should be provided. The properties of the tympanic membrane inherently provide such a substantially consistent environment, thus tympanic probes have found widespread acceptance in the medical industry. The axilla may also provide a similarly consistent environment, if the medical practitioner can avoid disrupting the thermal equilibrium of the axilla during placement of the thermometer and if the effects of ambient infrared radiation and emmissivity are accounted for. The temporal region can potentially provide a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation, but such temporal probes likewise require a fair amount of skill on the part of the medical practitioner and proper conditioning of the temporal site. In contrast, the oral and rectal environments do not provide a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation due to difficulty of access and variable surface conditions from subject to subject. In one aspect of the present invention, a probe is provided that is adapted to measure temperature both orally and rectally by providing an indirect source of infrared radiation—radiation from a target of known infrared properties. Such a target may receive thermal energy from the patient by direct conductance or by transmission of infrared radiation through the air. The underlying principle of such a target is illustrated in
Referring again to
Referring again to
In each of the aforementioned probes, it is preferred that the target 302 have certain properties. For example, is it preferred that target 302 have a relatively high emissivity. Moreover, it is preferred that such probes be disposable. Disposable probes are advantaged in that they help maintain a sanitary environment. Additionally, it is also preferred that target 302 be adapted to quickly absorb infrared radiation upon exposure to such radiation. One factor that influences the rate of heating of target 302 is the mass of target 302. It is preferred that target 302 be of relatively low mass. In one embodiment, target 302 has a mass less than about 1.00 milligrams. In another embodiment, target 302 has a mass less than about 5.0 milligrams. In yet another embodiment, target 302 has a mass less than about 10.0 milligrams. In one embodiment, the high emissivity target 302 is disposed within a supporting material to help reduce the mass of such target. Reference may be had to
In one embodiment, a kit is provided which comprises an infrared thermometer and at least two probes for use with the thermometer. The probes are each equipped with keying features that mate with one or more switches on the thermometer and permit the thermometer to properly identify which of the probes is currently attached. The probes are selected from the group consisting of a tympanic probe, an oral probe, a rectal probe, an axillary probe, and a temporal probe, provided that the two probes are selected from different groups. For example, the kit may comprise one tympanic probe and one oral probe. In another embodiment, at least three probes are provided which are selected from different groups. Any suitable number of probes may be so provided. In yet another embodiment, two probes or more probes are provided which are members of the same group, but which are structurally different. For example, the kit may comprise one adult tympanic probe and one neonate tympanic probe.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An infrared thermometer comprising:
- a probe with an infrared opaque target that absorbs thermal radiation to provide a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation and an aperture for preventing contamination of the infrared target while permitting the transmission of thermal radiation to the target; and
- an infrared sensor for sensing infrared radiation from the infrared target, the infrared target being positioned within the probe such that it absorbs thermal radiation that comes from the aperture and thereafter emits thermal radiation to the infrared sensor.
2. An infrared thermometer comprising:
- a probe with an infrared target that absorbs thermal radiation to provide a substantially consistent source of infrared radiation and an aperture for preventing contamination of the infrared target while permitting the transmission of thermal radiation to the target; and
- an infrared sensor for sensing infrared radiation from the infrared target, the infrared target being positioned within the probe such that it absorbs thermal radiation that comes from the aperture and thereafter emits thermal radiation to the infrared sensor.
3. The infrared thermometer as recited in claim 2, wherein the infrared target comprises metal.
4. The infrared thermometer as recited in claim 2, wherein the infrared target comprises a metal foil.
5. The infrared thermometer as recited in claim 2, wherein the infrared target includes a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass, copper, and gold.
6. The infrared thermometer as recited in claim 2, wherein the aperture is infrared transparent.
7. An infrared thermometer kit comprising:
- an infrared thermometer including: an infrared sensor for sensing infrared radiation from an infrared target disposed within a probe, a processor for processing a signal from the infrared sensor based upon a current program and determining a temperature of a patient, a digital display for displaying the temperature, a data storage device for storing a multiplicity of programs for determining the temperature of the patient based upon the signal from the infrared sensor, and a switch for loading the current program from the multiplicity of programs; and
- a first probe configured to be removably connected to the infrared thermometer, wherein: the first probe is comprised of a first key for activating the switch, thus loading a first program from the multiplicity of programs, the first probe is comprised of a first infrared target for receiving thermal radiation from the patient, wherein the first program contains parameters specific to the first infrared target, and wherein the first infrared target has an emissivity of greater than about 0.8, the first probe is selected from the group consisting of a tympanic probe, an oral probe, a rectal probe, an axillary probe, and a temporal probe, and the first probe is configured to be attached to the patient for a prolonged period of time.
8. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, further comprising a second probe selected from the group consisting of a tympanic probe, an oral probe, a rectal probe, an axillary probe, and a temporal probe, wherein the first probe and second probe are each selected from different groups, and wherein the second probe is comprised of an adhesive such that the second probe may be attached to the patient for a prolonged period of time.
9. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first probe is an axillary probe.
10. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first probe is a tympanic probe.
11. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 8, wherein the second probe is an axillary probe.
12. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first infrared target has a mass of less than about 10 milligrams.
13. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first infrared target has an emissivity of greater than about 0.9.
14. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first infrared target is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, cellulose paper, fabric, metal, and combinations thereof
15. The infrared thermometer kit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first infrared target is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, brass, gold, and combinations thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 26, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 23, 2010
Patent Grant number: 8591103
Applicant: WELCH ALLYN, INC. (Skaneateles Falls, NY)
Inventors: John A. Lane (Weedsport, NY), David E. Quinn (Auburn, NY)
Application Number: 12/869,154
International Classification: G01J 5/00 (20060101);